Combination comprising a glucocorticoid and EDO-S101

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a combination comprising a glucocorticoid and a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: 
                         
to a pharmaceutical composition and to a kit both comprising said combination, to the combination, composition or kit for use in the treatment of cancer, and to a method of treatment of cancer in a patient in need thereof comprising administering to said patient an effective amount of said combination, composition or kit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. national stage application filed under 35 U.S.C. § 371(c), of International Application No. PCT/EP2015/061572, filed on May 26, 2015, which claims foreign priority to U.K. Patent Application No. 1409485.8, filed on May 28, 2014. The entire contents of each of the aforementioned applications are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to combinations and compositions that are of use in the treatment of cancer, for example in the treatment of breast cancer or of hematologic cancers such as multiple myeloma, lymphoma or leukemia.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Cancer is one of the most life threatening diseases. Cancer is a condition in which cells in a part of the body experience out-of-control growth. According to latest data from American Cancer Society, it is estimated there will be 1.67 million new cases of cancer in USA in 2014. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States (second only to heart disease) and will claim more than 585,000 lives in 2014. In fact, it is estimated that 50% of all men and 33% of all women living in the United States will develop some type of cancer in their lifetime. Therefore cancer constitutes a major public health burden and represents a significant cost in the United States. These figures are reflected elsewhere across most countries globally, although the types of cancer and relative proportions of the population developing the cancers vary depending upon many different factors such including genetics and diet.

For decades surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation were the established treatments for various cancers. Patients usually receive a combination of these treatments depending upon the type and extent of their disease. But chemotherapy is the most important option for cancer patients when surgery treatment is impossible. While surgery is sometimes effective in removing tumors located at certain sites, for example, in the breast, colon, and skin, it cannot be used in the treatment of tumors located in other areas, such as the backbone, nor in the treatment of disseminated hematologic cancers include cancers of the blood and blood-forming tissues (such as the bone marrow). They include multiple myeloma, lymphoma and leukemia. Radiation therapy involves the exposure of living tissue to ionizing radiation causing death or damage to the exposed cells. Side effects from radiation therapy may be acute and temporary, while others may be irreversible. Chemotherapy involves the disruption of cell replication or cell metabolism. It is used most often in the treatment of breast, lung, and testicular cancer. One of the main causes of failure in this treatment of cancer is the development of drug resistance by the cancer cells, a serious problem that may lead to recurrence of disease or even death. Thus, more effective cancer treatments are needed.

Multiple myeloma is a significant and growing problem. It is a cancer arising from plasma cells. Normal plasma cells produce immunoglobulins to fight infection. In myeloma, the plasma cells become abnormal, multiply uncontrollably and release only one type of antibody—known as paraprotein—which has no useful function. It tends to accumulate in the bone marrow and circulate in the blood and can be detected in the urine as well. It affects multiple sites in the body (hence ‘multiple’ myeloma) where bone marrow is normally active in adults. The main forms of multiple myeloma (or myeloma as it is also referred to) are active myeloma, plasmacytoma, light chain myeloma and non-secretory myeloma. The number of new cases of myeloma in the US in 2011 was 6.1 per 100,000 men and women per year and the percentage survival rate beyond five years was 45%. It is estimated that the number of new cases in the US in 2014 will be over 24,000 (1.4% of all cancer cases), while the number of deaths in 2014 will be just over 11,000 (1.9% of all cancer cases).

In WO-A-2010/085377, the compound of formula I was shown to have excellent in vitro activity against multiple myeloma cell lines, with activities in the range of □35-100 greater than the activity shown by bendamustin.

Leukemia is a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase of immature white blood cells called “blasts”. Instead of producing normal, functioning white blood cells to fight infection the body produces large numbers of these non-functional blasts. Leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases. In turn, it is part of the even broader group of diseases affecting the blood, bone marrow and lymphoid system, which are all known as hematological neoplasms. The most common forms are acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), with less common forms including hairy cell leukemia (HCL), T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL), large granular lymphocytic leukemia and T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It is estimated that the number of new cases in the United States in 2014 will be over 52,000 (3.1% of all new cancers in the US) with over 24,000 deaths (4.1% of all cancer deaths in the US). The percentage survival rate over five years is currently 57.2%, a figure significantly lower than for many other cancers, with the survival rate over five years for acute myeloid leukemia being particularly low at only 20%.

Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system. There are two main types of lymphoma, namely Hodgkin lymphoma and non Hodgkin lymphoma.

Non Hodgkin lymphoma is the more common form of lymphoma. The lymphatic system runs throughout the body, and it is therefore possible to find non Hodgkin lymphoma in almost all parts of the body. In patients with non Hodgkin lymphoma, some of their white blood cells (lymphocytes) divide abnormally. They do not have any resting time like normal cells and they start to divide continuously, so too many are produced. They do not naturally die off as they usually do. These cells start to divide before they are fully mature and therefore cannot fight infection as normal white blood cells do. All the abnormal lymphocytes start to collect in the lymph nodes or other places such as the bone marrow or spleen. They can then grow into tumours and begin to cause problems within the lymphatic system or the organ in which they are growing. For example, if a lymphoma starts in the thyroid gland it can affect the normal production of thyroid hormones. There are many different types of non Hodgkin lymphoma. They can be classified in several different ways. One way is by the type of cell affected. In non Hodgkin lymphoma two types of lymphocyte can be affected—B cells and T cells. This is classified as B cell lymphoma or a T cell lymphoma. Most people with non Hodgkin lymphoma have B cell lymphomas. T cell lymphomas are more common in teenagers and young adults.

The cells of Hodgkin lymphoma have a particular appearance under the microscope. These cells are called Reed Sternberg cells. Non Hodgkin lymphomas do not have Reed Sternberg cells. It is important for doctors to be able to tell the difference between Hodgkin lymphoma and non Hodgkin lymphoma cells as they are two different diseases. In Hodgkin lymphoma, it is cells in the lymph nodes that have become cancerous.

The % survival rate over 5 years in 2009 for patients with non Hodgkin lymphoma was 63%, while the survival rate for those with Hodgkin lymphoma over the same period was 83%.

Breast cancer is a cancer that forms in tissues of the breast. The most common type of breast cancer is ductal carcinoma, which begins in the lining of the milk ducts (thin tubes that carry milk from the lobules of the breast to the nipple). Another type of breast cancer is lobular carcinoma, which begins in the lobules (milk glands) of the breast. Breast cancers can be classified into sub-groups as claudin-low tumors, basal-like tumors, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positive tumors, luminal A tumors and luminal B tumors. Invasive breast cancer is breast cancer that has spread from where it began in the breast ducts or lobules to surrounding normal tissue. Breast cancer occurs in both men and women, although male breast cancer is rare. In 2014, it is estimated that there will be nearly 233,00 new cases in women and 2,400 in men, with 40,00 female deaths and just over 400 male deaths.

Approximately 15 out of every 100 women with breast cancer have triple-negative breast cancer, i.e. are estrogen negative, are progesterone negative and are HER2 negative. Recurrent triple-negative breast cancer is a condition of high unmet medical need, due to its aggressive biology, fast development of drug resistance and lack of molecular targets. Until now, chemotherapy remains the standard of care for advanced triple-negative breast cancer with a poor median overall survival.

In WO-A-2010/085377, the compound of formula I below is disclosed. It is a first-in-class dual-functional alkylating-HDACi fusion molecule which potently inhibits the HDAC pathway.

Biological assays showed that the compound of formula I potently inhibits HDAC enzyme (HDAC1 IC₅₀ of 9 nM) and it has been shown to have excellent in vitro activity against multiple myeloma cell lines.

There is a need for more effective cancer treatments, including the treatment of breast cancer and of hematologic cancers such as multiple myeloma, lymphoma or leukemia. Currently, these conditions affect many people and the medium to long-term prognosis is not good for many of these conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a combination comprising a glucocorticoid and a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically salt thereof:

The present inventors have found that combinations of a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a glucocorticoid such as dexamethasone or prednisone are particularly effective in the treatment of cancers including hematologic cancers such as multiple myeloma, lymphoma and leukemia, and breast cancer. They are highly promising in efforts to address the problem of finding more effective treatments for cancer. The combinations may optionally further comprise a proteasome inhibitor such as carfilzomib or bortezomib. These further combinations are also particularly effective in the treatment of cancer.

In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier and a combination according to the first aspect of the invention.

In a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit comprising a combination according to the first aspect of the present invention and, optionally, instructions for treating a patient.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a combination, composition or kit according to the first, second or third aspect of the present invention for use in the treatment of cancer.

In a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of treating cancer in a patient in need thereof comprising administering to said patient a combination, composition or kit according to the first, second or third aspect of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plot of the % surviving in vitro MM1S multiple myeloma cells as a % of control versus concentration for different tested compounds after 48 hours incubation, for single compounds and as combinations (double and triple);

FIG. 2 is a plot of the % surviving in vitro MM1S multiple myeloma cells as a % of control versus concentration for different tested compounds after 72 hours incubation, for single compounds and as combinations (double and triple); and

FIG. 3 is a plot of tumour growth (mm³) against the number of days of study for different tested compounds for CB17-SCID mice subcutaneously inoculated into the right flank with 3×10⁶ MM1S cells, for single compounds and as combinations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the present application, a number of general terms and phrases are used, which should be interpreted as follows.

“Animal” includes humans, non-human mammals (e.g., dogs, cats, rabbits, cattle, horses, sheep, goats, swine, deer, and the like) and non-mammals (e.g., birds, and the like).

“Pharmaceutically acceptable salts” means salts of compounds of the present invention which are pharmaceutically acceptable, as defined above, and which possess the desired pharmacological activity. Such salts include acid addition salts formed with inorganic acids, or with organic acids. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts also include base addition salts which may be formed when acidic protons present are capable of reacting with inorganic or organic bases. Generally, such salts are, for example, prepared by reacting the free acid or base forms of these compounds with a stoichiometric amount of the appropriate base or acid in water or in an organic solvent or in a mixture of the two. Generally, non-aqueous media like ether, ethyl acetate, ethanol, isopropanol or acetonitrile are preferred. Examples of the acid addition salts include mineral acid addition salts such as, for example, hydrochloride, hydrobromide, hydroiodide, sulfate, bisulfate, sulfamate, nitrate, phosphate, and organic acid addition salts such as, for example, acetate, trifluoroacetate, maleate, fumarate, citrate, oxalate, succinate, tartrate, salicylate, tosylate, lactate, naphthalenesulphonae, malate, mandelate, methanesulfonate and p-toluenesulfonate. Examples of the alkali addition salts include inorganic salts such as, for example, sodium, potassium, calcium and ammonium salts, and organic alkali salts such as, for example, ethylenediamine, ethanolamine, N,N-dialkylenethanolamine, triethanolamine and basic aminoacids salts.

It has surprisingly been discovered that combinations of a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a glucocorticoid such as dexamethasone are particularly effective in the treatment of cancers including hematologic cancers such as multiple myeloma, leukemia and lymphoma, and breast cancer such that they are highly promising in efforts to address the problem of finding more effective treatments for cancer. The combinations may optionally further comprise a proteasome inhibitor such as carfilzomib or bortezomib. These further combinations are also particularly effective in the treatment of cancer.

In the combination of the present invention, the pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the compound of formula I may preferably be the hydrochloride, hydrobromide, hydroiodide, sulfate, bisulfate, sulfamate, nitrate, phosphate, citrate, methanesulfonate, trifluoroacetate, glutamate, glucuronate, glutarate, malate, maleate, succinate, fumarate, tartrate, tosylate, salicylate, lactate, naphthalenesulfonate or acetate, and more preferably the acetate.

In the combination of the present invention, the glucocorticoid may for example be selected from the group consisting of dexamethasone, fluocinolone acetonide and prednisone, of which dexamethasone is preferred.

The combination of the present invention may further comprise a proteasome inhibitor. Suitable examples of proteasome inhibitors for use in the combination of the present invention include bortezomib, carfilzomib, marizomib, delanzomib (CEP-18770), oprozomib (ONX 0912), ixazomib (MLN-9708) and LU-102. Of these, bortezomib, carfilzomib and LU-102 are preferred.

The structures of these proteasome inhibitors are as follows:

In one further preferred combination of the present invention comprising a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, a glucocorticoid and optionally a proteasome inhibitor, said combination may further comprise one or more additional pharmaceutically active agents. Particularly suitable pharmaceutically active agents are anti-tumor agents having a different mode of action to the compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, the glucocorticoid and the proteasome inhibitor, e.g. alkylating agents such as nitrosureas, ethylenimines, alkylsulfonates, hydrazines and triazines, and platinum based agents; plant alkaloids, taxanes, vinca alkaloids; anti-tumor antibiotics such as chromomycins, anthracyclines, and miscellaneous antibiotics such as Mitomycin and Bleomycin; anti-metabolites such as folic acid antagonists, pyrimidine antagonists, purine antagonists and adenosine deaminase inhibitors; topoisomerase inhibitors such as topoisomerase I inhibitors, topoisomerase II inhibitors, miscellaneous anti-neoplastics such as ribonucleotide reductase inhibitors, adrenocortical steroid inhibitor, anti-microtubule agents, and retinoids; protein kinases; heat shock proteins, poly-ADP (adenosine diphosphate)-ribose polymerase (PARP), hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF), proteasome, Wnt/Hedgehog/Notch signaling proteins, TNF-alpha, matrix metalloproteinase, farnesyl transferase, apoptosis pathway, histone deacetylases (HDAC), histone acetyltransferases (HAT), and methyltransferase; hormonal therapies, vascular disrupting agent, gene therapy, RNAi cancer therapy, chemoprotective agents, antibody conjugate, cancer immunotherapy such as Interleukin-2, cancer vaccines or monoclonal antibodies; and preferably DNA damaging agents, anti-metabolites, topoisomerase inhibitors, anti-microtubule agents, EGFR inhibitors, HER2 inhibitors, VEGFR2 inhibitors, BRAF inhibitors, Bcr-Abl inhibitors, PDGFR inhibitors, ALK inhibitors, PLK inhibitors, MET inhibitors, epigenetic agents, HSP90 inhibitors, PARP inhibitors, CHK inhibitors, aromatase inhibitor, estrogen receptor antagonist, and antibodies targeting VEGF, HER2, EGFR, CD50, CD20, CD30, CD33, etc.

In one embodiment of the combination of the present invention, the compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, the glucocorticoid and, if present, the proteasome inhibitor are adapted for administration concurrently, sequentially or separately. Preferably, the compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, the glucocorticoid and, if present, the proteasome inhibitor are adapted for administration concurrently.

In one embodiment of the combination of the present invention, the glucocorticoid is dexamethasone and the compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is

or the acetate salt thereof. This combination may optionally further comprise a proteasome inhibitor selected from bortezomib, carfilzomib and LU-102.

In one embodiment of the combination of the present invention, the molar ratio of glucocorticoid to compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in said combination is from 1:500 to 500:1. Preferably, the molar ratio of glucocorticoid to compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in said combination is from 1:500 to 1:100, more preferably 1:300 to 1:100, and most preferably from 1:250 to 1:150, e.g. 1:150, 1:200, 1:250 or 1:300.

One particularly preferred embodiment of the combination of the present invention comprises the compound of formula I or the acetate salt thereof and dexamethasone, wherein the molar ratio of the dexamethasone to the compound of formula I or the acetate salt thereof in said combination is from 1:250 to 1:150, e.g. 1:150, 1:200 or 1:250.

It has been surprisingly found that many of the combinations comprising a glucocorticoid and a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof are synergistic combinations. In other words, the potency of the combinations has been measured with the Calcusyn software (biosoft, Ferguson, Mo., USA), which is based on the Chou Talay method (Chou et al., Adv. Enzyme Regul., 22, 27-55 (1984)), that calculates a combination index (CI) with the following interpretation:

CI 1>1: antagonist effect, CI=1: additive effect and CI<1 synergistic effect.

For many of the dual combinations of the present invention comprising a glucocorticoid and a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, CI has been found to be less than 1, indicating synergy.

Another embodiment of the combination of the present invention further comprises a proteasome inhibitor wherein the molar ratio of proteasome inhibitor to the compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to the glucocorticoid in said combination is from 1:1000:20 to 1000:1:20. Preferably, the molar ratio of proteasome inhibitor to the compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to the glucocorticoid in said combination is from 1:1000:10 to 1:100:2. More preferably, the molar ratio of proteasome inhibitor to the compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to the glucocorticoid used in said combination is from 1:1000:5 to 1:200:2, and most preferably 1:700:4 to 1:400:3, e.g. 1:1000:5, 1:900:5, 1:800:4, 1:700:4, 1:600:4, 1:500:3 or 1:400:3.

One particularly preferred combination of the present invention comprises a proteasome inhibitor selected from bortezomib and carfilzomib, a compound of formula I or the acetate salt thereof and dexamethasone, wherein the molar ratio of the proteasome inhibitor selected from bortezomib and carfilzomib to the compound of formula I or the acetate salt thereof to dexamethasone in said combination is from 1:700:4 to 1:400:3, e.g. 1:700:4, 1:700:3, 1:600:4, 1:600:3, 1:500:3 or 1:400:3. Another particularly preferred combination of the first aspect of the present invention comprises a proteasome inhibitor selected from LU-102, the compound of formula I or the acetate salt thereof and dexamethasone, wherein the molar ratio of LU-102 to the compound of formula I or the acetate salt thereof to dexamethasone in said combination is from 1:3:4 to 1:0.5:3, e.g. 1:3:4, 1:3:3, 1:2:4, 1:2:3, 1:1:4, 1:1:3 or 1:0.5:3.

It has also been surprisingly discovered that many of the triple combinations of the present invention comprising a proteasome inhibitor, a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a glucocorticoid are also synergistic combinations, i.e. the combination index CI has been found to be less than 1.

The pharmaceutical composition according to the second aspect of the present invention comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier and a combination according to the first aspect of the present invention. Preferred compositions of the second invention include those comprising the preferred combinations of the present invention as described and exemplified above. The pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier of the pharmaceutical composition according to the second aspect of the present can be any suitable dispersant, excipient, adjuvant, or other material which acts as a carrier for the active agents of the combination of the present invention and which does not interfere with the active agents present in said combination. Examples of typical pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and diluents may be found in “Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences” by E. W. Martin and these include water, saline, dextrose solution, serum solution, Ringer's solution, polyethylene glycol (e.g PEG400), a surfactant (e.g Cremophor), a cyclopolysaccharide (e.g hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin or sulfobutyl ether β-cyclodextrins), a polymer, a liposome, a micelle, a nanosphere, etc.

In the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit comprising a combination according to the first aspect of the present invention and, optionally, instructions for treating a patient. Typically, a kit can comprise a compound of formula I or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, a glucocorticoid, and a proteasome inhibitor together with instructions for treating a patient. Each active agent can be provided in a suitable container. The kit may further comprise a delivery system, e.g. for the compound of formula I or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, the glucocorticoid or the proteasome inhibitor or any combination thereof.

The instructions may advise administering the glucocorticoid, the compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and, if present, the proteasome inhibitor of the combination concurrently, sequentially or separately according to variables such as the specific condition being treated, the state of that condition, the activity of the specific compounds employed; the specific combination employed; the age, body weight, general health, sex and diet of the patient; the time of administration, route of administration, and rate of excretion of the specific compounds employed; the duration of the treatment; drugs used in combination or contemporaneously with the specific compounds employed; and like factors well known in the medical arts.

Preferred kits according to the third aspect of the present invention include those comprising the preferred combinations of the present invention as described and exemplified above.

In the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the combination, composition or kit according to the first, second or third aspect of the present invention for use in the treatment of cancer.

In the fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of treating cancer in a patient in need thereof comprising administering to said patient the combination, composition or kit according to the first, second or third aspect of the present invention.

It has been found that the combinations, compositions and kits of the present invention are highly active both in vitro and in vivo against a wide variety of tumour cell types. The anti-tumour activity shown by these double and triple combinations of the present invention, and by the combinations in the compositions and kits of the present invention is, in many cases, more than merely additive, showing combination indexes CI of significantly less than 1, indicating synergy for these combinations. This surprising finding is a further support for the particular effectiveness of the combinations, compositions and kits of the present invention in the treatment of cancer.

Examples of cancers which are treatable by the combinations, compositions and kits of the present invention include hematologic cancers such as multiple myeloma, lymphoma and leukemia, breast cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, testicular cancer, pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, stomach cancer, biliary tract cancer, esophageal cancer, gastrointestinal stromal tumor, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, renal cancer, melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, bladder cancer, sarcoma, mesothelioma, thymoma, myelodysplastic syndrome, glioblastoma and myeloproliferative disease. In particular, the combinations, compositions and kits of the present invention are effective against hematologic cancer such as multiple myeloma, lymphoma and leukemia, and breast cancer. In one embodiment of the combination, composition or kit for use in the treatment of a cancer according to the fourth aspect of the present invention or the method of treatment according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the cancer is selected from a hematologic cancer and breast cancer.

Where the combination, composition or kit of the present invention is for use in the treatment of a hematologic cancer, this may preferably be selected from multiple myeloma (e.g. active myeloma, plasmacytoma, light chain myeloma or non-secretory myeloma), lymphoma (e.g. Hodgkin lymphoma or non-Hodgkin lymphoma) and leukemia [acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML, including myeloblastic leukemia, acute promyelocytic leukemia, acute myelomonocytic leukemia, acute monocytic leukemia, acute erythroleukemia and acute megakaryotic leukemia, with all forms being treatable in all phases including relapsed and refractory phases), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), hairy cell leukemia (HCL), T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL), large granular lymphocytic leukemia or T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia].

Where the combination, composition or kit of the present invention is for use in the treatment of breast cancer, the breast cancer may typically be selected from claudin-low tumors, basal-like tumors, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positive tumors, luminal A tumors and luminal B tumors, and it is preferably a triple-negative breast cancer.

In one preferred embodiment of the combination, composition or kit for use in the treatment of cancer according to the present invention and the method of treatment of cancer according to the present invention, the glucocorticoid, the compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and, if present, the proteasome inhibitor are administered concurrently, sequentially or separately. More preferably, the glucocorticoid, the compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and, if present, the proteasome inhibitor are administered concurrently.

In the combination, composition or kit for use in the treatment of cancer and the method of treatment of cancer in accordance with the present invention, the compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is typically administered to the patient in need thereof at a dosage range of 10 to 100 mg/kg body weight patient, and preferably at a dosage range of 40 to 80 mg/kg body weight patient. Typically, the glucocorticoid is administered at a dosage range of from 0.1 to 1 mg/kg body weight patient and preferably at a dosage range of from 0.3 to 0.5 mg/kg body weight patient. Where a proteasome inhibitor is also administered to the patient together with the compound of formula I or a salt thereof and the glucocorticoid, it is typically administered at a dosage range of 0.01 to 0.3 mg/kg body weight patient. Preferably, the proteasome inhibitor is administered to the patient at a dosage range of 0.05 to 0.15 mg/kg body weight patient.

The therapeutically effective amount of a combination, composition or kit according to the present invention is an amount of the combination, composition or kit which confers a therapeutic effect in accordance with the fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention on the treated subject, at a reasonable benefit/risk ratio applicable to any medical treatment. The therapeutic effect may be objective (i.e. measurable by some test or marker) or subjective (i.e. subject gives an indication of or feels an effect). An effective amount of the combination, composition or kit according to the present invention is believed to be one wherein the compound of formula I or a salt thereof is included in the combination at a dosage range of from 10 to 100 mg/kg body weight patient (e.g. 40 to 80 mg/kg body weight such as 40, 50, 60, 70 or 80 mg/kg body weight), the glucocorticoid is included at a dosage range of from 0.03 to 1 mg/kg body weight patient (e.g. 0.3 to 0.5 mg/kg body weight patient, such as 0.3, 0.4 or 0.5 mg/kg body weight patient) and the proteasome inhibitor if present is included at a dosage range of from 0.01 to 0.3 mg/kg body weight patient (e.g. 0.05 to 0.15 mg/kg such as 0.05, 0.1 or 0.15 mg/kg body weight).

Effective doses will vary depending on route of administration, as well as the possibility of co-usage with other active agents. It will be understood, however, that the total daily usage of the combinations, compositions and kits of the present invention will be decided by the attending physician within the scope of sound medical judgment. The specific therapeutically effective dose level for any particular patient will depend upon a variety of factors including the disorder being treated and the severity of the disorder; the activity of the specific compound employed; the specific composition employed; the age, body weight, general health, sex and diet of the patient; the time of administration, route of administration, and rate of excretion of the specific compound employed; the duration of the treatment; drugs used in combination or contemporaneously with the specific compound employed; and like factors well known in the medical arts. The present invention is also directed to the use of a combination, composition or kit according to the first, second or third aspect of the present invention in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of cancer, e.g. for the treatment of a hematologic cancer or breast cancer.

Suitable examples of the administration form of the combination, composition or kit of the present invention include without limitation oral, topical, parenteral, sublingual, rectal, vaginal, ocular, and intranasal. Parenteral administration includes subcutaneous injections, intravenous, intramuscular, intrasternal injection or infusion techniques. Preferably, the combinations, compositions and kits are administered parenterally. Combinations, compositions and kits of the invention can be formulated so as to allow a combination or composition of the present invention to be bioavailable upon administration of the combination, composition or kit to an animal, preferably human. Compositions can take the form of one or more dosage units, where for example, a tablet can be a single dosage unit, and a container of a combination or composition of the present invention in aerosol form can hold a plurality of dosage units.

Preferably the combinations of the present invention are provided in the form of kits. Typically, a kit includes a glucocorticoid, a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and, optionally, a proteasome inhibitor. In certain embodiments, a kit can include one or more delivery systems, e.g. the glucocorticoid, the compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and, optionally, a proteasome inhibitor, or any combination thereof, and directions for the use of the kit (e.g. instructions for treating a subject). These directions/instructions may advise administering the glucocorticoid, the compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and, if present, the proteasome inhibitor of the combination concurrently, sequentially or separately according to variables such as the specific condition being treated, the state of that condition, the activity of the specific compounds employed; the specific combination employed; the age, body weight, general health, sex and diet of the patient; the time of administration, route of administration, and rate of excretion of the specific compounds employed; the duration of the treatment; drugs used in combination or contemporaneously with the specific compounds employed; and like factors well known in the medical arts.

The pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier can be particulate, so that the compositions are, for example, in tablet or powder form. The carrier(s) can be liquid, with the combinations, compositions or kits being, for example, an oral syrup or injectable liquid. In addition, the carrier(s) can be gaseous, so as to provide an aerosol composition useful in, for example, inhalatory administration. Such pharmaceutical carriers can be liquids, such as water and oils, including those of petroleum, animal, vegetable or synthetic origin, such as peanut oil, soybean oil, mineral oil, sesame oil and the like. The carriers can be saline, gum acacia, gelatin, starch paste, talc, keratin, colloidal silica, urea, and the like. In addition, auxiliary, stabilizing, thickening, lubricating and coloring agents can be used. In one embodiment, when administered to an animal, the combination, composition or kit of the present invention and the pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are sterile. Water is a preferred carrier when the combination or composition of the present invention is administered intravenously. Saline solutions and aqueous dextrose and glycerol solutions can also be employed as liquid carriers, particularly for injectable solutions. Suitable pharmaceutical carriers also include excipients such as starch, glucose, lactose, sucrose, gelatin, malt, rice, flour, chalk, silica gel, sodium stearate, glycerol monostearate, talc, sodium chloride, dried skim milk, glycerol, propylene, glycol, water, ethanol and the like. The present compositions, if desired, can also contain minor amounts of wetting or emulsifying agents, or pH buffering agents.

When intended for oral administration, the combination or composition may be in solid or liquid form, where semi-solid, semi-liquid, suspension and gel forms are included within the forms considered herein as either solid or liquid.

As a solid composition for oral administration, the combination, composition or kit can be formulated into a powder, granule, compressed tablet, pill, capsule, chewing gum, wafer or the like form. Such a solid composition typically contains one or more inert diluents, either as a single tablet comprising all active agents or as a number of separate solid compositions, each comprising a single active agent of the combination of the present invention (in the case of the kit). In addition, one or more of the following can be present: binders such as carboxymethylcellulose, ethyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, or gelatin; excipients such as starch, lactose or dextrins, disintegrating agents such as alginic acid, sodium alginate, corn starch and the like; lubricants such as magnesium stearate; glidants such as colloidal silicon dioxide; sweetening agents such as sucrose or saccharin; a flavoring agent such as peppermint, methyl salicylate or orange flavoring; and a coloring agent.

When the combination or composition is in the form of a capsule (e. g. a gelatin capsule), it can contain, in addition to materials of the above type, a liquid carrier such as polyethylene glycol, cyclodextrin or a fatty oil.

The combination, composition or kit can be in the form of a liquid, e. g. an elixir, syrup, solution, emulsion or suspension. The liquid can be useful for oral administration or for delivery by injection. When intended for oral administration, a combination, composition or kit can comprise one or more of a sweetening agent, preservatives, dye/colorant and flavor enhancer. In a combination or composition for administration by injection, one or more of a surfactant, preservative, wetting agent, dispersing agent, suspending agent, buffer, stabilizer and isotonic agent can also be included. In the kit of the present invention, the liquid components comprising one or more of the active agents of the composition may either be combined prior to administration and administered concurrently or each active agent may be administered sequentially or separately.

The preferred route of administration is parenteral administration including, but not limited to, intradermal, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intravenous, subcutaneous, intranasal, epidural, intranasal, intracerebral, intraventricular, intrathecal, intravaginal or transdermal. The preferred mode of administration is left to the discretion of the practitioner, and will depend in part upon the site of the medical condition (such as the site of cancer). In a more preferred embodiment, the present combinations, compositions and kits of the present invention are administered intravenously.

The liquid combinations, compositions and kits of the invention, whether they are solutions, suspensions or other like form, can also include one or more of the following: sterile diluents such as water for injection, saline solution, preferably physiological saline, Ringer's solution, isotonic sodium chloride, fixed oils such as synthetic mono or diglycerides, polyethylene glycols, glycerin, or other solvents; antibacterial agents such as benzyl alcohol or methyl paraben; and agents for the adjustment of tonicity such as sodium chloride or dextrose. A parenteral combination or composition can be enclosed in an ampoule, a disposable syringe or a multiple-dose vial made of glass, plastic or other material. Physiological saline is a preferred adjuvant.

For administration (e.g. intravenous) the combination or composition may typically comprise the compound of formula I or a salt thereof at a dosage range of from 10 to 100 mg/kg body weight patient, the glucocorticoid at a dosage range of from 0.1 to 1 mg/kg body weight patient and the proteasome inhibitor at a dosage range of from 0.01 to 0.3 mg/kg body weight patient. More preferably, the combination or composition may typically comprise the compound of formula I or a salt thereof at a dosage range of from 40 to 80 mg/kg body weight patient, the glucocorticoid at a dosage range of from 0.3 to 0.5 mg/kg body weight patient and the proteasome inhibitor at a dosage range of from 0.05 to 0.15 mg/kg body weight patient.

The combinations of the inventions may be formulated such that the glucocorticoid, the compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and, if present, the proteasome inhibitor are adapted for administration concurrently, sequentially or separately. Preferably, they are administered concurrently.

The combination, composition or kit of the present invention can be administered by any convenient route, for example by infusion or bolus injection, by absorption through epithelial or mucocutaneous linings.

In specific embodiments, it can be desirable to administer one or more combinations, compositions or kits of the present invention or combinations, compositions or kits locally to the area in need of treatment. In one embodiment, administration can be by direct injection at the site (or former site) of a cancer, tumor or neoplastic or pre-neoplastic tissue.

Pulmonary administration can also be employed, e. g. by use of an inhaler or nebulizer, and formulation with an aerosolizing agent, or via perfusion in a fluorocarbon or synthetic pulmonary surfactant. In certain embodiments, the combination, composition or kit of the present invention or compositions can be formulated as a suppository, with traditional binders and carriers such as triglycerides.

The present combination, composition or kit can take the form of solutions, suspensions, emulsion, tablets, pills, pellets, capsules, capsules containing liquids, powders, sustained-release formulations, suppositories, emulsions, aerosols, sprays, suspensions, or any other form suitable for use. Other examples of suitable pharmaceutical carriers are described in “Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences” by E. W. Martin.

The pharmaceutical combinations, compositions and kits can be prepared using methodology well known in the pharmaceutical art. For example, a composition intended to be administered by injection can be prepared by combining the components of a kit of the present invention with water so as to form a solution. A surfactant can be added to facilitate the formation of a homogeneous solution or suspension.

The combinations, compositions and kits of the present invention are particularly effective in the treatment of cancer. The combinations, compositions and kits of the present invention have been shown to have excellent activity against a wide variety of tumor cell types both in vitro and in vivo, making them particularly interesting for development for use in the treatment of cancer, e.g. hematologic cancer and breast cancer.

EXAMPLES

In the following examples, the compound having the following formula I is referred to as EDO-S101 (or EDO in the Figures):

This can be prepared as described in Example 5 of WO-A-2010/085377.

Example 1 EDO-S101 Combinations In Vitro—Multiple Myeloma MM1S Cell Line

EDO-S101 was combined in vitro with dexamethasone and bortezomib in the multiple myeloma MM1S cell line (obtained from LGC Standards S.a.r.I., 6, rue Alfred Kastler, BP 83076, F-67123 Molsheim Cedex, France). Activity was measured by the MTT assay that is based on the metabolic bromide reduction from 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazole (MTT), which is produced by the mitochondrial enzyme succinate-dehydrogenase, turned to a blue-colored compound named formazan. The mitochondrial functionality of the treated cells is then determined. This method has been extensively used to measure cell proliferation and survival capacities. The remaining living cells are proportional to the amount of formazan produced.

In brief the methodology was as follows:

-   -   30,000 MM1S cells per well were plated into the 96-well         microtiter plates.     -   EDO-S101 and PI dilutions were prepared in DMSO and         dexamethasone in ethanol and added into the wells to the final         concentrations indicated in the experiment.     -   Plates were incubated for 24-48-72 hours in the incubator at         37° C. in a humidified atmosphere in the presence of 5% CO₂/95%         air.     -   After the incubation 10 μL of MTT solution were added in each         well and incubated for 2 hours to allow formazan crystal         formation.     -   100 μl of a mix solution with SDS plus HCl (10 μL of HCl for         each 12 mL of SDS) was added to dissolve the formazan crystals.     -   Absorbance was read at 570 nm OD and use a reference wavelength         of 650 nm.     -   Cell viability (percentage) was obtained as follows: %         Viability=OD treated cells×100/OD control cells.     -   Each dose was tested in quadruplicate and each experiment was         performed at least twice.

The concentrations for the different drugs were ratio constant for all the experiments. EDO-S101 at 500 nM, 1 μM, 2.5 μM; dexamethasone at 2.5 nM; 5 nM; 10 nM; and bortezomib at 0.75 nM, 1.5 nM, 3 nM.

The results are as shown in Table 1 below and FIG. 1.

TABLE 1 48 H CI For experimental values Dexa 48 h EDO 48 h (nM) (nM) Fa CI 2.5 500 0.43453 0.851 5 1000 0.56838 0.761 10 2000 0.683802 0.765 CI For experimental values Bortz 48 h EDO 48 h (nM) (nM) Fa CI 0.75 500 0.247333 1.087 1.5 1000 0.452958 1.230 3 2000 0.918526 0.627 CI For experimental values DOBLE Dexa 48 h Bortz 48 h (nM) (nM) Fa CI 2.5 0.75 0.413191 1.105 5 1.5 0.620757 0.879 10 3 0.935984 0.494 CI For experimental values Dexa 48 h Bortz 48 h EDO 48 h (nM) (nM) (nM) Fa CI 2.5 0.75 150 0.455868 0.958 5 1.5 300 0.673133 0.789 10 3 600 0.962173 0.404

The potency of the combination was quantitated with the Calcusyn software (blosoft, Ferguson, Mo., USA), which is based on the Chou Talay method (Chou et al., Adv. Enzyme Regul., 22, 27-55 (1984)), that calculates a combination index (CI) with the following interpretation:

-   -   CI 1>1: antagonist effect, CI=1: additive effect and CI<1         synergistic effect

It can be seen from the FIG. 1 and from above that EDO-S101 shows synergy with both dexamethasone and also shows synergy in a triple combination with dexamethasone and bortezomib.

In a further experiment, the same constant dose of these drugs was incubated for 72 hours instead of 48 hours. The results are as shown in Table 2 below and FIG. 2

TABLE 2 72 H CI For experimental values DEXA EDO (nM) (nM) Fa CI 2.5 500 0.576413 0.682 5 1000 0.69365 0.836 10 2000 0.828332 0.829 CI For experimental values BORTZ EDO (nM) (nM) Fa CI 0.75 500 0.310537 1.336 1.5 1000 0.780181 1.166 3 2000 0.999302 0.489 CI For experimental values DEXA BORTZ (nM) (nM) Fa CI 2.5 0.75 0.411026 1.441 5 1.5 0.865318 0.876 10 3 1 0.017 CI For experimental values DEXA BORTZ EDO (nM) (nM) (nM) Fa CI 2.5 0.75 500 0.607118 1.115 5 1.5 1000 0.923936 0.845 10 3 2000 1 0.017

Again, it can be seen from FIG. 2 and the above results in Table 2 that EDO-S101 shows synergy with dexamethasone and also shows synergy in a triple combination with dexamethasone and bortezomib.

Example 2 EDO-S101 Combinations In Vivo Against a Xenograft of Subcutaneous Plasmacytoma

CB17-SCID mice (obtained from The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Me.) were subcutaneously inoculated into the right flank with 3×10⁶ multiple myeloma MM1S cells (obtained from LGC Standards S.a.r.I., 6, rue Alfred Kastler, BP 83076, F-67123 Molsheim Cedex, France) in 100 μL RPMI 1640 medium and 100 μL of Matrigel (BD Biosciences). When tumours became palpable, mice were randomized to 8 groups of treatment with 5 mice in each one.

The groups were:

-   -   Control (group treated with vehicle alone)     -   Bortezomib 1 mg/kg twice weekly intraperitoneal for three weeks     -   Dexamethasone 0.5 mg twice weekly intravenously for three weeks     -   EDO-S101 intravenously at doses of 30 mg/kg once weekly for 3         doses,     -   Bortezomib plus dexamethasone     -   Bortezomib plus EDO-S101     -   EDO-S101 plus dexamethasone     -   Triple combination of EDO-S101 plus Bortezomib and dexamethasone

Caliper measurements of the tumor diameters were performed every day, and the tumor volume was estimated as the volume of an ellipse using the following formula: V=4/3π×(a/2)×(b/2)2, where “a” and “b” correspond to the longest and shortest diameter, respectively.

The tumour growth results are as shown in FIG. 3 in a plot of tumour growth (mm³) against the number of days of study. It can be seen that the combination of EDO-S101 and dexamethasone results in tumour volumes lower than that seen with either agent alone while the triple combination of EDO-S101, bortezomib and dexamethasone shows very significantly lower tumour volumes by the end of the study than any of the active agents individually.

In conclusion, it can be seen that the compound of formula I (EDO-S101) show excellent activity in combination with glucocorticoid inhibitors such as dexamethasone in acting both in vitro and in vivo against multiple myelomas. Furthermore, it can be seen that the activity of these combinations is surprisingly synergistic. Yet further, it is seen that triple combinations comprising the compound of formula I, a glucocorticoid and a proteasome inhibitor such as bortezomib showed particularly strong synergy. It is to be expected that these combinations will be active against a wide range of hematologic cancers, not just myeloma but other hematologic conditions such as lymphoma and leukemia. We also believe that these combinations are likely to be active against other cancers such as breast cancer.

As a result, it is to be expected that combinations of the compound of formula I of the present invention with a glucocorticoid, optionally comprising a proteasome inhibitor, will be of use in the treatment of cancer, particularly hematologic cancers and breast cancer. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A combination comprising dexamethasone and a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:

wherein the combination does not comprise a proteasome inhibitor; and wherein the dexamethasone and the compound of formula I or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof forms a synergistic combination, wherein the synergistic combination has a combination index (CI) of less than 1, wherein the combination index is calculated by the Chou Talalay method.
 2. The combination according to claim 1, further comprising one or more additional pharmaceutically active agents.
 3. The combination according claim 1, wherein the molar ratio of dexamethasone to the compound of formula I or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in said combination is from 1:500 to 500:1.
 4. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier and a combination according to claim
 1. 5. A kit comprising a combination according to claim 1, and optionally, instructions for treating a patient.
 6. A method of treating cancer in a patient in need thereof comprising administering to said patient a combination according to claim 1 wherein said cancer is multiple myeloma.
 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein in said method dexamethasone and the compound of formula I or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof are administered concurrently, sequentially or separately.
 8. The method according to claim 6, wherein in said method dexamethasone and the compound of formula I or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof are administered concurrently.
 9. The method according to claim 6, wherein dexamethasone is administered at a dosage range of from 0.1 to 1.0 mg/kg body weight patient.
 10. The method according to claim 6, wherein dexamethasone is administered at a dosage range of from 0.3 to 0.5 mg/kg body weight patient.
 11. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the compound of formula I is a hydrochloride, hydrobromide, hydroiodide, sulfate, bisulfate, sulfamate, nitrate, phosphate, citrate, methanesulfonate, trifluoroacetate, glutamate, glucuronate, glutarate, malate, maleate, succinate, fumarate, tartrate, tosylate, salicylate, lactate, naphthalenesulfonate or acetate salt. 